US11259841B2 - Seal assemblies for surgical access assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

Access assemblies includes an instrument valve housing and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, and a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly. In embodiments, the seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments in an overlapping configuration. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments includes a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface. The ribbed surfaces include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to surgical access assemblies for minimally invasive surgery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to valve assemblies for surgical access assemblies.

BACKGROUND

In order to facilitate minimally invasive surgery, a working space must be created in a desired surgical site. An insufflation fluid, typically CO₂, is introduced into the abdomen of the patient to create an inflated state called a pneumoperitoneum. Surgical access assemblies are utilized to allow the introduction of surgical instrumentation and endoscopes (or other visualization tools). These surgical access assemblies maintain the pressure for the pneumoperitoneum, as they have one or more seals that adapt to the surgical instrumentation. Typically, a “zero-seal” in the surgical access assembly seals the surgical access assembly in the absence of a surgical instrument in the surgical access assembly, and an instrument seal seals around a surgical instrument that has been inserted through the surgical access assembly.

The breadth of surgical instrumentation on the market today requires a robust instrument seal capable adjusting to multiple sizes and withstanding multiple insertions and removals of surgical instrumentation. Some of the instrumentation can include sharp edges that can tear or otherwise damage instrument seals. Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a surgical access assembly with improved instrument seal durability.

SUMMARY

An access assembly includes an instrument valve housing, and a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing. The instrument valve housing including upper, lower, and inner housing sections and defining a cavity. The valve assembly includes a guard assembly, and a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments in an overlapping configuration. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments includes a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface. The ribbed surfaces include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction.

In embodiments, the seal assembly includes a ring portion and first, second, third and fourth seal segments. The first, second, third, and fourth seal segments may be secured to the ring portion by connector portions. The connector portions may be living hinges. The smooth surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments may face distally. The ribbed surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments may face proximally. The smooth surfaces and the ribbed surfaces may alternate. The first seal segment may include a tab to facilitate assembly of the seal assembly. The plurality of seal segments may form a non-continuous inner seal circumference. The valve assembly may further include a centering mechanism for biasing the valve assembly toward a center of the cavity of the instrument valve housing.

A valve assembly includes a guard assembly and a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments in an overlapping configuration. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments may include a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface. The ribbed surfaces may include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction.

In embodiments, the seal assembly includes a ring portion and first, second, third and fourth seal segments. The first, second, third, and fourth seal segments are secured to the ring portion by connector portions. The connector portions may be living hinges. The smooth surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments may face in a distal direction. The ribbed surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments may face in a proximal direction. The smooth surfaces and the ribbed surface may alternate. The first seal segment may include a tab to facilitate assembly of the seal assembly. The plurality of seal segments may form a non-continuous inner seal circumference.

A seal assembly includes a ring portion, and a plurality of seal segments extending from the ring portion in an overlapping configuration. Each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments includes a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface. The ribbed surfaces may include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical access assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 a side cross-sectional view of the surgical access assembly shown inFIG. 1 taken along section line2-2;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a valve assembly, with parts separated, including a centering mechanism, a guard assembly, a seal assembly, and a retainer assembly;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4, in an initial or unfolded condition;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4 taken along section line6-6 inFIG. 9;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4 taken along section line8-8 inFIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4, in the initial or unfolded condition;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4, in a partially folded condition;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 4, in fully folded condition;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the seal assembly shown inFIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the valve assembly shown inFIG. 3 taken along section line13-13 inFIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of the instrument, or component thereof which is farther from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the instrument or component thereof which is closer to the user. As used herein, the term “about” means that the numerical value is approximate and small variations would not significantly affect the practice of the disclosed embodiments. Where a numerical limitation is used, unless indicated otherwise by the context, “about” means the numerical value can vary by ±10% and remain within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Surgical access assemblies with obturators are employed during minimally invasive surgery, e.g., laparoscopic surgery, and provide for the sealed access of surgical instruments into an insufflated body cavity, such as the abdominal cavity. The surgical access assemblies of the present disclosure include an instrument valve housing mounted on a cannula tube, and include an obturator (not shown) inserted through the valve housing and cannula. The obturator can have a blunt distal end, or a bladed or non-bladed penetrating distal end and can be used to incise the abdominal wall so that the surgical access assembly can be introduced into the abdomen. The handle of the obturator can engage or selectively lock into the instrument valve housing of the surgical access assembly.

Surgical access assemblies are employed to tunnel through an anatomical structure, e.g., the abdominal wall, either by making a new passage through the anatomical structure or by passing through an existing opening through the anatomical structure. Once the surgical access assembly with the obturator has tunneled through the anatomical structure, the obturator is removed, leaving the surgical access assembly in place. The instrument valve housing of the surgical access assembly includes valves that prevent the escape of insufflation fluid from the body cavity, while also allowing surgical instruments to be inserted into the body cavity.

In various embodiments, a bladeless optical trocar obturator may be provided that permits separation of tissue planes in a surgical procedure and visualization of body tissue fibers as they are being separated, thereby permitting a controlled traversal across a body wall. In other embodiments, the trocar obturator may be bladeless without being optical, e.g., without providing contemporaneous visualization thereof through the distal tip of an obturator. The bladeless obturator may be provided for the blunt dissection of the abdominal lining during a surgical procedure.

Various trocar obturators suitable for use with the surgical access assembly of the present disclosure are known and include, for example, bladed, bladeless, blunt, optical, and non-optical. For a detailed description of the structure and function of exemplary trocar assemblies, including exemplar trocar obturators and exemplar cannulas, please refer to PCT Publication No. WO 2016/186905 (“the '905 publication”), the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

With initial reference now toFIG. 1, a surgical access assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown generally assurgical access assembly100. Thesurgical access assembly100 includes acannula102 and aninstrument valve housing110 secured to thecannula102. For a detailed description of an exemplary surgical access assembly, please refer to the '905 publication.

With reference toFIG. 2, theinstrument valve housing110 of thesurgical access assembly100 includes anupper housing section112, alower housing section114, and aninner housing section116. The upper, lower, andinner housing sections112,114,116 are configured to support avalve assembly120 on a proximal end of thecannula102. More particularly, theinner housing section116 is secured between the upper andlower housing sections112,114, and thevalve assembly120 is received between the inner andlower housing sections116,114. The upper andlower housing sections112,114 of theinstrument valve housing110 may be selectively attachable to, and detachable from, theinner housing section116. Thelower housing section114 may be releasably or permanently attached to a cannula tube104 (FIG. 1) of thecannula102. In embodiments, either or both of the upper andlower housing sections112,114 of theinstrument valve housing110 may include knurls, indentations, tabs, or be otherwise configured to facilitate engagement by a clinician.

Thesurgical access assembly100 may also include features for the stabilization of the surgical access assembly. For example, the distal end of thecannula tube104 may carry a balloon anchor or another expandable member that engages the abdomen from the interior side. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,448, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. A feature on the opposite side of the abdominal wall may be used to further stabilize the surgical access assembly, such as adhesive tabs or adjustable foam collars.

The upper, lower, andinner housing sections112,114,116 of theinstrument valve housing110 define alongitudinal passage111 for receipt of a surgical instrument (not shown). Thevalve assembly120 is supported within theinstrument valve housing110 to provide sealed passage of the surgical instrument (not shown) through thesurgical access assembly100.

With particular reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, thevalve assembly120 supported in the instrument valve housing110 (FIG. 2) includes a centeringmechanism130, aguard assembly140, aseal assembly160, and aretainer assembly190. The centeringmechanism130 of thevalve assembly120 permits radial movement of thevalve assembly120 relative to theinstrument valve housing110 when a surgical instrument is received through thevalve assembly120, and returns thevalve assembly120 to a generally centered position once the surgical instrument is withdrawn from within theinstrument valve housing110. Theguard assembly140 protects theseal assembly160 during insertion and withdrawal of a surgical instrument through theseal assembly160. Theseal assembly160 provides sealed passage of the surgical instrument through theinstrument valve housing110. Theretainer assembly190 maintains the centeringmechanism130, theguard assembly140, and theseal assembly160 in an aligned relationship with one another.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, as noted above, the centeringmechanism130 of thevalve assembly120 is configured to maintain thevalve assembly120 centered within the instrument valve housing110 (FIG. 2) in the absence of a surgical instrument passing through thevalve assembly120. In embodiments, and as shown, the centeringmechanism130 includes an outerannular ring132, an innerannular ring134, and abellows136 disposed between the outerannular ring132 and the innerannular ring134. As shown inFIG. 2, the outerannular ring132 is received between theinner housing section116 and thelower housing section114 to retain the centeringmechanism130 within theinstrument valve housing110. The innerannular ring134 supports theguard assembly140. For a detailed description of the structure and function of an exemplary centering mechanism, please refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,787, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although shown including the centeringmechanism130 havingbellows136, thevalve assembly120 may include alternative centering mechanisms. For example, the centering mechanism may include an annular base and a plurality of spokes extending from the base, as described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2015/0025477 (“the '477 publication”), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. It is envisioned that the centering mechanism may include multiple sets of spokes, as disclosed in the '477 publication.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, theguard assembly140 of thevalve assembly120 is configured to protect theseal assembly160 as a surgical instrument (not shown) passes through the instrument valve housing110 (FIG. 2).

Theguard assembly140 includes aring portion142 and first, second, third, andfourth petals144,146,148,150. The first, second, third, andfourth petals144,146,148,150 define anopening141 therebetween to facilitate sealed passage of a surgical instrument (not shown) through theguard assembly140. Although shown including six (4) petals, it is envisioned that the guard assembly may include any suitable number of petals, and the petals may include flap portions of any size or configuration. For exemplary guard assemblies, as well as other aspects of surgical access assemblies, please refer to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,895,377 and 6,569,120 (“the '377 and '120 patents”), the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. For detailed description of the structure and function of other exemplary guard assemblies, please refer to commonly owned U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2020/0214740A1, 2020/0337723A1, and 2021/0113240A1, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring toFIGS. 4-6, theseal assembly160 of thevalve assembly120 is configured to provide a seal around an outer surface of a surgical instrument passing through the instrument valve housing110 (FIG. 1). In embodiments, and as shown, theseal assembly160 forms a conical seal body; however, it is envisioned that the aspects of the present disclosure may be modified for use with a flat seal body.

Theseal assembly160 includes first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 each having a base orring portion172,174,176,178, respectively, and arespective seal portion182,184,186,188 supported by therespective ring portion172,174,176,178. The first andsecond seal segments162,164, the second andthird seal segments164,166, and the third andfourth seal segments166,168, are connected to one another by aconnector portion162a,164a,166a, respectively. Theconnector portions162a,164a,166amay include a living hinge, or be otherwise configured to permit folding of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 with respect to each other.

Theseal portions182,184,186,188 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 are formed of an elastic material, e.g., rubber, and define a semi-conical configuration when theseal assembly160 is in the folded condition. As noted above, theseal portions182,184,186,188 may alternatively define a flat seal. In embodiments, theseal portions182,184,186,188 are formed of polyurethane, polyisoprenes, or silicone elastomers. Thering portions172,174,176,178 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 may be formed of the same or different materials as therespective seal portions182,184,186,188. In embodiments, theseal portions182,184,186,188 may include one or more fabric layers.

Thering portions172,174,176,178 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 defineopenings173,175,177,179, respectively, and a plurality ofopenings173a,175a,177a,179acorresponding to a plurality of pins196 (FIG. 13) extending from anupper retainer member192 of theretainer assembly190. In embodiments, and as shown, thering portion172 of thefirst seal section162 may include atab172ato facilitate assembly and/or positioning of theseal assembly160.

Theseal portions182,184,186,188 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 define acentral opening161 and are configured to receive a surgical instrument (not shown) through thevalve assembly120 in a sealed manner. Theseal portions182,184,186,188, form a non-continuous or virtual seal circumference to reduce tearing during insertion, manipulation, and/or withdrawal of a surgical instrument (not shown) through thevalve assembly120.

An inner edge of theseal portions182,184,186,188 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 forms an angle “α” (FIG. 9) between about one-hundred eighty degrees (180°) and about two-hundred twenty degrees (220°). In this manner, eachseal portion182,184,186,188 occupies at least fifty percent (50%) of therespective opening173,175,177,179 in thering portions172,174,176,178, respectively.

With particular reference toFIGS. 5 and 9, theseal portions182,184,186,188 of the respective first, second, third, andfourth sections162,164,166,168 of theseal assembly160 includes a first or ribbedsurface182a,184a,186a,188aand a second orsmooth surface182b,184b,186b,188b. When theseal assembly160 is in a folded condition (FIG. 4), theribbed surfaces182a,184a,186a,188aface proximally and thesmooth surfaces182b,184b,186b,188bface distally. In this manner, thesmooth surfaces182b,184b,186bof therespective seal portions182,184,186 of the first, second andthird seal segments162,164,166, respectively, engage theribbed surfaces184a,186a,188aof therespective seal portions184,186,188 of the second, third, andfourth seal segments164,166,168.

Theribbed surfaces182a,184a,186a,188aof therespective seal portions182,184,186,188 of the first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168, respectively, include a plurality of raised portions orribs183,185,187,189. Eachrib183a,185a,187a,189aof the plurality ofribs183,185,187,189 extends in a radial direction. In embodiments, and as shown inFIG. 7, eachrib183a,185a,187a,189ais tapered on leading and trailing portions. Alternatively, eachrib183a,185a,187a,189amay have only a leading or trailing tapered portion, or instead may include a consistent thickness.

The plurality ofribs183,185,187,189 of theribbed surface182a,184a,186a,188aof therespective seal portions182,184,186,188 of the first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168, respectively, create extra padding along theribbed surfaces182a,184a,186a,188ato reduce the likelihood of tearing the seal assembly during insertion, manipulation, and/or withdrawn of a surgical instrument (not shown) through theseal assembly160. The plurality ofribs183,185,187,189 are arranged such then when theseal assembly160 is in the folded condition (FIG. 4) theseal portions182,184,186,188 form a seal having a increased uniform thickness. The increased uniform thickness of the seal and/or the reinforcement provided by the plurality ofribs183,185,187,189 to therespective seal portions182,184,186,188 reduces the possibility of a surgical instrument (not shown) puncturing theseal portions182,184,186,188, thereby reducing the likelihood of tearing. This design also limits additional potential leak paths.

The method of folding theseal assembly160 will now be described with reference toFIGS. 9-11. Referring initially toFIG. 9, thefirst seal section162 of theseal assembly160 is folded relative to thesecond seal section164 of theseal assembly160, as indicated by arrow “A”, such that thesmooth surface182b(FIG. 5) of thefirst seal section162 overlaps theribbed surface184a(FIG. 5) of thesecond seal section164. Similarly, thefourth seal section168 of theseal assembly160 is folded relative to thethird seal section166 of theseal assembly160, as indicated by arrow “B”, such that theribbed surface188a(FIG. 5) of thefourth section168 overlaps thesmooth surface186b(FIG. 5) of thethird seal section166.

Turning toFIG. 10, the first andsecond seal segments162,164 of theseal assembly160 are then folded relative to the third andfourth seal segments166,168 of theseal assembly160, as indicated by arrow “C”, such that theribbed surface184a(FIG. 5) of thesecond seal section164 overlaps thesmooth surface186b(FIG. 5) of thethird section166.

With reference toFIGS. 12 and 13, the retainer assembly190 (of the valve assembly120) is configured to secure theguard assembly140 relative to theseal assembly160, and secure the guard andseal assemblies140,160 to the centeringmechanism130. Theretainer assembly190 includes anupper retainer member192, and alower retainer member194.

As noted above, theupper retainer member192 of theretainer assembly190 includes a plurality ofpins196. The plurality ofpins196 extends from a bottom surface of the upper retainer member192 (FIG. 13). Eachpin196 of the plurality ofpins196 is configured to be lockingly received within anopening195 of a plurality ofopenings195 of thelower retainer member194. In embodiments, the plurality ofpins196 is welded, glued, adhered, bonded or otherwise secured within the plurality ofopenings195 in thelower retainer member194 to secure theupper retainer member192 and thelower retainer member194 together. Alternatively, thelower retainer member194 may instead, or additionally, include a plurality of pins (not shown) with theupper retainer member192 defining a plurality corresponding openings (not shown). Either or both of the upper andlower retainer members192,194 may include locking features (not shown) for engaging the plurality of pins and securing theupper retainer member192 to thelower retainer member194.

With continued reference toFIGS. 12 and 13, the plurality ofpins196 of theupper retainer member192 extends through thering portion142 of theguard assembly140, through the innerannular ring134 of the centeringmechanism130, through theseal assembly160, and into the plurality ofopenings195 in thelower retainer member194. As noted above, placing theguard assembly140 proximal of theseal assembly160 reduces or eliminates potential damage to theseal assembly160 during insertion and retraction of a surgical instrument through theseal assembly160. The placement of theguard assembly140 also reduces the potential of theseal assembly160 disintegrating into the body cavity during minimally invasive procedures.

During a surgical procedure utilizing surgical access assembly100 (FIG. 1), a surgical instrument (not shown) is introduced into theinstrument valve housing110 through thelongitudinal passage111 in the upper, lower, andinner housing sections112,114,116 (FIG. 2). As described in the'377 and '120 patents, the distal end of the surgical instrument engages the first, second, third, andfourth petals144,146,148,150 (FIG. 3) of theguard assembly140 causing flaps of the respective first, second, third, andfourth petals144,146,148,150 to flex downward into contact with theseal assembly160 to cause thecentral opening161 of theseal assembly160 to open to accommodate passage of the surgical instrument through theseal assembly160. Theguard assembly140 minimizes damage to theseal assembly160 during insertion of an instrument through thevalve assembly120

As noted above, the plurality ofribs183,185,187,189 of theribbed surface182a,184a,186a,188aof therespective seal portions182,184,186,188 of the first, second, third, andfourth seal segments162,164,166,168, respectively, create extra padding along theribbed surface182a,184a,186a,188ato reduce the likelihood of tearing the seal assembly during insertion, manipulation, and/or withdrawn of a surgical instrument (not shown) through theseal assembly160.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

What is claimed is:

1. An access assembly comprising:

an instrument valve housing including upper, lower, and inner housing sections and defining a cavity; and

a valve assembly disposed within the cavity of the instrument valve housing, the valve assembly including:

a guard assembly;

a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly, the seal assembly including a ring portion and a plurality of seal segments extending from the ring portion in an overlapping configuration, each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments including a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface, wherein the smooth surfaces and the ribbed surfaces alternate and the ribbed surfaces include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction; and

a retainer assembly securing the guard assembly relative to the seal assembly, wherein the plurality of seal segments includes four seal segments.

2. The access assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the four seal segments are secured to the ring portion by connector portions.

3. The access assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the connector portions are living hinges.

4. The access assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the smooth surface of each of the four seal segments faces distally.

5. The access assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the ribbed surface of each of the four seal segments faces proximally.

6. The access assembly ofclaim 1, wherein one of the four seal segments includes a tab to facilitate assembly of the seal assembly.

7. The access assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of seal segments form a non-continuous inner seal circumference.

8. The access assembly ofclaim 1, further including a centering mechanism for biasing the valve assembly toward a center of the cavity of the instrument valve housing.

9. An access assembly for receiving an instrument through the access assembly in a sealed manner, the access assembly comprising:

a valve assembly including,

a guard assembly having a plurality of overlapping petals; and

a seal assembly disposed distal of the guard assembly, the seal assembly including a plurality of ring portions and a plurality of seal segments in an overlapping configuration, each seal segment of the seal segment extending from each ring portion of the plurality of ring portions and folded including a seal portion having a smooth surface and a ribbed surface, wherein the ribbed surfaces include a plurality of ribs extending in a radial direction, wherein the plurality of ring portions includes more than two ring portions.

10. The valve assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the seal assembly includes ring portions and first, second, third and fourth seal segments.

11. The valve assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments are each secured to the respective ring portion by a connector portion.

12. The valve assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the connector portions are living hinges.

13. The valve assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the smooth surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments face in a distal direction.

14. The valve assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the ribbed surfaces of the first, second, third, and fourth seal segments face in a proximal direction.

15. The valve assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the first seal segment includes a tab to facilitate assembly of the seal assembly.

16. The valve assembly ofclaim 9 wherein the smooth surfaces and the ribbed surface alternate.

17. The valve assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the plurality of seal segments form a non-continuous inner seal circumference.

18. A seal assembly for an access assembly for receiving an instrument through the access assembly in a sealed manner, the seal assembly comprising:

a ring portion; and

a plurality of seal segments extending from the ring portion in an overlapping configuration, each seal segment of the plurality of seal segments including a seal portion having a smooth surface a ribbed surface, an outer portion in engagement with the ring portion, and an inner portion defining a section of an opening, the inner portions of the plurality of seal segments forming a non-continuous inner seal circumference to reduce tearing by instruments received through the seal assembly, wherein the ribbed surfaces include a plurality of elongate ribs extending from the inner portion to the outer portion, wherein the plurality of seal segments includes four seal segments.

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